United Way helpers get ready to carry the weight
By Becky Barclay
Published in News on August 9, 2004 1:59 PM
To help raise $1,312,000 this year, United Way is counting heavily on its loaned executives. Loaned executives have been a part of United Way for several years.
Brian Taylor, a funeral director with Seymour Funeral Home and a former loaned executive, has been chairman of the program for the past five years. He said a loaned executive is a volunteer who works part time with United Way during the campaign.
"He is assigned four or five businesses and works closely with the employee coordinator to arrange payroll deduction for donations, solicitor training and meetings or employee rallies."
If needed, the loaned executive also arranges agency speakers and tours and holds campaign meetings. Throughout the United Way campaign, which runs from September through November, the loaned executive is the liaison between the business and United Way. This year there are 26 loaned executives.
Before working with local businesses, the loaned executives receive a day of training. Amy Cain, public information officer with Wayne Memorial Hospital, did some exercises with the loaned executives to help them with teamwork. Keith Gunnett, a stockbroker with Wachovia Securities, likened United Way's efforts at funding nonprofit groups to picking stocks.
Dave Parsons, board president, explained United Way's mission, and Kay Albertson, vice president of the board, discussed how United Way benefits the community and how all its programs provide accountability.
Something new to the training this year -- the loaned executives helped deliver Meals on Wheels to get a firsthand look at how one of United Way's programs affects people.
"Loaned executives are a big help to United Way," said Taylor. "They are the ones responsible for the most money brought into the campaign. It's hard for one person to follow up with so many businesses."
Taylor said United Way tries to retain as many loaned executives as it can from year to year. "We have about 15 past loaned executives who are returning this year," he said.
This year's loaned executives include Diane Andrews, Cooper-Standard; Karen Bass, Mount Olive College; Doug Behrend, TA Loving; Amy Cain and Bonnie Gray, Wayne Memorial Hospital; Carlos Cotto, Susan Keel and Janice Fields, Wayne Community College; Hattie Frederick, First Citizens Bank; and Karen Grantham, North Carolina Community Federal Credit Union.
Also, Pam Holt, Wayne County government; Lee Johnson, Wayne County public schools; Debbie Jones, Mt. Olive Pickle Co.; Tasha Logan and Marlise Taylor, city of Goldsboro; Bethany Magera, Grand Rental Station; Alan McCall, BB&T in Fremont; Tammy Michell, Wachovia; Sidney Rabon, RBC Centura; Karen Schneider, Wayne Realty and Insurance; Michael Stewart and Barbara Sturm, Goldsboro News-Argus; Bruce Tart, Seymour Funeral Home; Dianne Uzzell of Nunn, Brashear and Co.; Marion Waters, Wayne County Public Library; and Charlotte Welsh of Pittard Perry and Crone.
Taylor said he learned a lot about United Way by being a loaned executive "After doing that and working with the agencies, it gave me a better appreciation of what they do in our community. It benefited me in regards as to what I give to United Way."
He said the experience also let him get better acquainted with businesses in this area.
"And in anything, if you can have a personal relationship in reference to being a fellow business person and have them calling on you directly instead of a paid staff member, that's always better," said Taylor.